CNA Center vs Field Building

Comparing the CNA Center and the Field Building is particularly interesting because they share the same skyline in Chicago, IL, and were both designed by Graham, Anderson, Probst & White. However, they were completed more than 38 years apart.

This offers a unique perspective on how the architect's style and the city's architecture evolved over time.

These two towers present an interesting contrast in their proportions. The CNA Center rises higher at 600ft (183m), while the Field Building reaches 535ft (163.1m). However, the Field Building accommodates more floors with 45 levels above ground, compared to 44 floors in the CNA Center.

This suggests different approaches to interior space design. The CNA Center has an average floor-to-floor height of approximately 4.2m, while the Field Building has more compact floors averaging around 3.6m each. The taller building's more generous floor heights might indicate grander interior spaces, higher ceilings, or different programmatic requirements.

These different proportions likely reflect the specific needs each building was designed to serve, whether driven by zoning regulations, client requirements, or the intended use of the spaces within. The contrast shows how architects can achieve different spatial experiences even when working with similar overall building scales.

The CNA Center was designed in the International Style style, while the Field Building reflects the principles of Art Deco.

The CNA Center represents a late expression of the International Style, a style already in decline in 1972 when it was completed. By contrast, the Field Building followed the then mainstream Art Deco, embodying the dominant architectural direction of its time.

With 38 years between them, the comparison also reflects how quickly architectural priorities can shift from one dominant language to another.

Both the CNA Center and the Field Building are primarily commercial towers, serving similar roles in the urban fabric.

Originally, the Field Building was designed for Office. Bank. Radio Station, but over time it was converted to commercial. The CNA Center by contrast has maintained its original role.

These two towers illustrate the many possible ways to combine structure and enclosure in skyscraper design.